Chapter 8 - CHAD’S REAL PLAN
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Chad's hand shook.
That was the first thing I noticed.
People imagine guns make cowards powerful.
Sometimes they only make fear visible.
“Put it down,” I said.
“Stop talking.”
Victor sighed.
“Chad.”
“I said stop.”
He pointed the gun toward Victor.
Now I understood.
They weren't partners anymore.
“What's happening?” I asked.
Chad laughed nervously.
“I'm fixing this.”
Victor looked amused.
“You couldn't fix a parking ticket without somebody telling you where to sign.”
“Shut up.”
Evelyn struggled against the chair.
Chad looked at me.
“You ruined everything.”
“I ruined it?”
“You called Lindqvist.”
“You sent me to prison.”
“You weren’t supposed to fight!”
The words echoed through the warehouse.
I stared at him.
“What was I supposed to do?”
“Take the deal.”
“What deal?”
His face tightened.
The prosecutor had offered me four years if I pleaded guilty.
I refused.
“You wanted me to confess.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“So the case would close!”
“And then?”
“You’d serve maybe eighteen months.”
I laughed in disbelief.
“You thought I should give you eighteen months of my life?”
“You would’ve been fine!”
“Fine?”
I stepped closer.
“You moved Brenda into my house.”
“She was temporary.”
Victor laughed.
Brenda would have loved hearing that.
Chad glared at him.
“I said shut up!”
Victor’s smile faded.
“The gun is making you stupid.”
“I know what you planned.”
Victor went still.
Chad continued.
“You were going to kill Genevieve after her birthday.”
My blood turned cold.
Evelyn screamed behind the tape.
I looked at Victor.
“Is that true?”
He said nothing.
Chad’s voice cracked.
“He told me we would take control of Meridian through the estate. He said you’d sign documents during the appeal.”
I stared at Chad.
“And you agreed?”
“I didn't agree to murder!”
“But you agreed to frame me.”
“Yes!”
Silence.
The microphone beneath my blouse recorded every word.
Christopher was hearing this.
So was his security team.
I needed Chad to keep talking.
“You forged my electronic signatures?”
“Yes.”
“Martin helped?”
“Yes.”
“The fake vendors?”
“Yes.”
“My mother’s company?”
Chad glanced at Evelyn.
“She needed money.”
“And my house?”
“She bought it so creditors couldn't reach it.”
“You mean so I couldn't.”
He didn't answer.
I took another step.
“Did you love me?”
His expression twisted.
“That’s not relevant.”
“It is to me.”
“Genevieve—”
“Seven years.”
He looked away.
That was worse than any answer.
Then Victor moved.
Fast.
He grabbed Evelyn by the hair and pressed a knife against her throat.
Chad swung the gun toward him.
Victor smiled.
“You always were emotional.”
“Let her go.”
“No.”
I heard distant tires outside.
Victor heard them too.
His face changed.
He looked at me.
“You wired yourself.”
I said nothing.
He dragged Evelyn backward.
Chad raised the gun.
“Don't move.”
Victor laughed.
Then he whispered something I almost didn't hear.
“Ask your father what happened the night you were born.”
A side door exploded inward.
Christopher’s security team entered.
Everyone shouted.
Chad fired.
The gunshot deafened me.
I dropped.
Evelyn screamed.
Victor disappeared behind a steel partition.
May you like
Then a second shot rang out.
And my mother collapsed to the floor.
